Glass shattered all over Konoha, cups cracked, spilling drinks, and mirrors shattered.

A dark omen to be sure.

The dark clouds that had before just loomed over the village, finally began to unload their cargo. Something was wrong with the world. The sky wept freezing tears, drenching all those unlucky enough to be caught outside.

Tsunade sat in the high-backed chair behind her fancy Hokage-office desk, gazing at the six cards in her hand.

The cards were lotto tickets. And all of them were winners of some sum or other. Except the sixth (she checked) one she had bought. One would think she'd be happy about this fact, ecstatic even, but Tsunade was grim. If one knew her, this would be understandable. You see, Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage, never won at gambling.

No, Tsunade had won twice before. The first time, she had won ten hands of poker and left with quite a large sum. The next day her little brother died on one of his first missions as a ninja.

The second time was years later, she received almost double the previous amount from several roulette games. On her mission a few days later her boyfriend died tragically, resulting in her severe case of hemophobia and her resigning from the active duty list in Konoha.

So, as you can imagine, Tsunade was extremely agitated. There was only one person that she truly cared about that was currently in danger.

That boy, Naruto, with his endearing grins, annoying loudness, and hair like the very sun that hid behind the clouds, was in danger. She could feel it.

Though Tsunade wanted to leap up from the sickening desk and dash to his aid, she couldn't. She knew for a fact that the moment she left the villages that were already eyeing Konoha would swoop down and devour it.

She also couldn't afford to send any more ninja after them. After Orochimaru's attack they were achingly, terrifyingly, despondently; shorthanded.

So she was stuck there, brooding, hoping, and also praying that the blonde would come back alive.

Tsunade sighed and reached into the drawer to her left and pulled out the trusty friend that lay inside.

~.~.~.~.~.~

We stared at each other, standing on opposite sides of the river. We were both panting as we charged up our final attacks. His usually pale skin was tainted grey, with Orochimaru's curse, his hair, normally blue-black was also grayed slightly. Two (horrifying, repulsive) appendages that resembled (vaguely) wings stretched out behind him and he charged his new black and white Chidori.

The Kyuubi's chakra enveloped me in a red, shield, if you will. And though this chakra coating healed my battle injuries faster, I could feel my skin burning and my inner coils tightening painfully as the youki destroyed me from both the inside and out. 'There goes the Hokage dream.' I thought as I struggled to even create my Rasengan.

I looked into his (but they weren't) eyes, and I knew that I couldn't kill him. I couldn't bring myself to kill (eyes fading, blood everywhere, oh god) him. I would be the one to fall (die) this day.

I'm sorry Sakura-chan. I couldn't fulfill my promise. You should have asked someone better, like Kakashi-sensei. Someone like me isn't fit to help people.

I'm sorry Baa-san. You'll have to find someone else to succeed you. Shikamaru would be much better at it than me. Heh. Of course he'd need to get a lot stronger. I'm also sorry I wasn't able to keep your necklace.

I'm sorry, Iruka, I'll never be able to pay back my ramen debt to you. I could never be able to thank you enough. You pulled me out of the self destructive path I was on when you became my very first precious person.

We launched ourselves into the air, the distance quickly closing. I saw my death in those deceivingly cheerful sounding lightning flashes.

Our two attacks collided, sending a bright white light flashing around us. My eyes were sad as they looked his mutated ones.

I'm sorry Neji. My eyes weren't good enough to save him.

Sasuke brought about his other hand, chidori fully charged. I saw the other attack coming, but I was unable to stop it, my chakra system was in agony as the youki tore it apart.

There was no pain.

I looked into his eyes and smiled slightly, showing that I didn't blame him.

Then I was falling, I lifted my hand, (straining, so tired) and scraped my rapidly retreating claws over his hitae-ate.

My head cracked as I fell against the concrete, but still, there was the relieving sense of no pain.

My eyes flickered as I lay on the ground, There were only blurs, unidentifiable colors and shapes.

I heard his heavy (weary) footsteps, barely audible over the water fall.

A dark figure appeared in my vision, hovering over me.

"Naruto?" The voice was apprehensive, afraid I would miraculously heal and stop him, but at the same time, not wanting me to remain injured.

I coughed slightly, to get the blood out of my throat.

" I-I'm sorry S-Sasuke." I choked out as my vision dimmed once again.

"Dobe, what do you have to be sorry about." I heard him thump to his knees at my head.

"I c-couldn't save you." I was so tired. My eyes fluttered uselessly. (Fading)

"Maybe you'll get me next time." He sounded slightly frantic.

"My chakra system is d-destroyed." I coughed again, my every breath wheezing. (No Kyuubi to save me now)

"I'll come back. After I've defeated Itachi. We'll see each other then!" Sasuke insisted.

"Heh." I started to laugh, but coughing overtook it. "I can't see anything anymore." (so tired)

"You have to stop talking, you'll be fine, you always are!" he said, not wanting to accept it. "You have to be." I felt liquid fall on my already damp face. (When did it start raining?)

I moved my arm, (Sleep soon) I lifted it slightly, searching. I felt his hands catch mine. I sighed in contentment.

"Don't let Orochimaru control you Sasuke." My voice grew more steady as it grew fainter, and I felt him lean in to hear properly. "I want you to promise me something." I clutched his hand feebly.

"Anything." He said, conviction filling his voice.

"After you kill your brother, go back to Konoha." I emphasized these words, using the last of my strength. "Protect the village, Sasuke. All the villagers, not just our friends." He had to promise. I wouldn't be able to protect them, so he has to now.

"I promise." He said and I relaxed, sighing. I smiled slightly.

"Dn't ferget." I mumbled. I was almost gone now, the only thing keeping me here was his grip on my hand.

More water drops hit my face and I smiled lightly, I'm glad it rained today, I love the rain.

"S'not your fault y'know." I mumbled. But if he answered, I didn't hear, because I was gone.

~.~.~.~.~

" Yes it is, Naruto." I heard him sigh deeply and his hand went slack in mine. I rested my forehead against his. He didn't answer. "Naruto?" He wasn't breathing. "Naruto!" I shook him lightly. "This isn't time for jokes." (my fault, my fault, my fault!) Naruto didn't move.

It was only then that the rain fell on the Valley of the End.

~.~.~.~

I raced trough the treetops, praying that I wasn't too late. I had just gotten back from an A-rank mission when I found out about Sasuke. I rushed after them immediately, Pakkun guiding the way.

"It doesn't smell too good Kakashi. I smell a lot of Naruto's blood." Pakkun said gently. I found a speed I didn't know I had and raced time.

But somehow, I knew I was already too late.

I arrived at the Valley and saw the destruction the two had wrought during their battle.

All was still now.

I saw a bright, orange-clad figure standing near the waterfall. It could have been a trick of my mind or the light, but it looked like Naruto was glowing. And see-through. But that couldn't be.

Could it?

Naruto turned towards me.

"Naruto! Are you alright?" I tried to call over the roaring water. He didn't seem to hear me. He waved at me, smiling, then turned and disappeared.

I started to run towards him, but stopped at the sight that greeted me.

"Oh, Naruto…" I sighed. Yet another person who had died under my watch. I scooped up his body, carefully, not wanting to damage it further. In his hand, as if someone had put it there, was a hitae-ate, with one, long slash over the leaf symbol.

You seemed so, well, lasting, Naruto. It felt like you would be here forever, smiling, laughing, and yelling at me for being late.

Now you're gone.

Never to smile. No more laughing. Never to make grand claims of becoming the Hokage.

I pulled his body closer to mine, clutching it hopelessly.

I regret it, Naruto. I regret.

Spending all that time on Sasuke, training him. I left you to fend for yourself. You did well though. Leave it to you to find a Sannin to teach you.

If only.

~.~.~.~

I walked through this immense white void, looking for….What? Where was I going? Where was Shikamaru? Kiba? Neji? Naruto? Were they alright? Did we catch Sasuke?

"You know," spoke an quiet voice that should have been yelling boisterously. "You should turn back."

Naruto?

I looked around, there! He was sitting farther up the path, one leg dangling over an unseen edge while the other was drawn up to his chest, his arms around it.

"Why?" I asked him.

"There's more for you back there, that what awaits you further on." He said, glancing behind me. "Besides, Shikamaru's waiting for you to return."

"Where will you go?" I asked him, hoping he'd come with me.

"Oh, I have to go on ahead. But I'll wait for you, alright?" He said, smiling a quiet smile.

"Alright then." I said doubtfully. "See you soon…" I said, beginning to turn around.

"No offense meant, Choujii, but I honestly hope not. Make sure you keep Ino for starving herself. Also, make sure Shika doesn't get too lazy." He laughed softly.

I turned, leaving. When I had walked a few paces, I heard his voice again.

"Oh, and Chouji! Tell Shika," he stopped for a moment, as if deliberating. "Tell him he'd make a great Hokage." I whirled around, suddenly comprehending.

No. It couldn't be. But…He was always the strongest of us…

~.~.~.~

"You're going the wrong way." A voice stopped me from my walking.

"How would you know?" I asked Naruto, turning to look at him.

"Wow, those eyes of yours really are good for nothing." He grinned impudently, but suddenly sobered. "But really, you should turn around. TenTen-chan is crying. Can't you hear her?" I concentrated. I could vaguely hear someone crying.

"Yeah… But…." I hesitated. I wanted to comfort my teammate, but I was also so tired, and it was such a long way back…"I was told to walk this way." What?

"By who?" he asked, (not so) subtly turning me around.

"I-I don't know." Who was it?

"Well, the was I was, the great Neji Hyuuga doesn't take orders from anyone, so why start now? And also, you still have things you need to do mister." He was right. (Oddly)

"Alright…" I said, starting to walk the other way.

"Protect your teammates, Neji-san. They're the most precious friends you'll have." I nodded, agreeing with this statement.

"Oh, and Neji. Take care of Hinata-chan for me." His voice sounded a bit sad.

"Why don't you do it yourself?" I asked him curiously.

"I would, but as it turns out, your eyes are stronger than mine." I turned around, but he was gone. I started walking back the way I came, even though my legs grew heavy and it was hard to move, I kept going.

Naruto had given me a mission.